The Clean Program

I’ve always taken an interest in Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop website, so a few years ago when they wrote about this new cleanse program, I was a little curious. It’s called “The Clean Program.” Developed by LA-based cardiologist Dr. Junger, the program is fairly intense. For 21 days, you are not to consume dairy, sugar, gluten, coffee, alcohol, some fruits, night shade vegetables and I think that covers the main areas. The full list can be viewed here. When I did the program a few years ago it was only 7 days…but it looks like they’ve nixed that idea in favor of the 21 day cleanse…lucky me :)…

An average day on the cleanse consists of a probiotic supplement, cleanse supplement packet and shake for breakfast, then a lunch according to the diet with more supplements, then finally a dinner shake with supplements. The supplements are all digestive related helping to de-bloat and encourage ease of digestion. A key factor of the cleanse is to leave a 12-hour window in between your evening shake and your morning shake…allowing for a full window to digest and clean your system. Intermittent fasting they call it.

Currently I’m on day three and our shakes have been DELICIOUS. I really must tell you, I look forward to them. In the morning we make a tropical shake which consists of the following:

I would highly recommend this to anyone even if they aren’t cleansing! It makes me feel like I’m on vacation but yet am starting the day with a great base of greens, protein and fruit.

Lunches have been so so. I decided to make a big salad for the past few days with roasted veggies, roasted sweet potatoes and a tahini dressing. Perhaps having cold roasted veggies might not be the best? Still figuring it out because it had potential!

Dinners have been a “Peanut Butter and Jelly” shake or so I like to call it. Definitely helping with the need for something sweet. Recipe below:

“Peanut Butter and Jelly Shake”:

Clean program Chocolate Shake

Handful of blueberries

Cup of almond milk

Two heaping tablespoons of almond butter

It’s that easy! And so delicious!

For the next few days I plan to make Pistachio/Walnut/Date energy balls for snacks in the afternoon and am going to make a coconut quinoa and asian salmon for lunch…likely to taste much better than my current lunches.

Not going to lie I am a little bit tired and would love to be able to eat some fried chicken, but I’m already starting to see less bloat and inflammation. Going to go to bed early tonight, perhaps take a bath with my new detoxing bath salts and looking forward to my first acupuncture appointment tomorrow! The nice thing about the cleanse is that it is giving me time to really focus on my health and well-being. If you’re like me and have had a crazy spring…take some time for yourself no matter what that means. Everyone deserves a little self love. Treat yo self!